County Submits Plan to State for Approval to Open Stores, Restaurants

(Victor Valley)– Earlier this week, the state provided “readiness criteria” that would allow more counties to transition more quickly into a Later Stage 2 opening, which means reopening our retail stores, malls and dine-in restaurants.

Today the County announced that San Bernardino County meets this readiness criteria, and today we have submitted our plan to the state and are requesting fast-track approval for our reopening. Approval of this “Variance and Attestation Form” would allow the County to accelerate Stage 2 opening by early next week, if not sooner.

This would allow malls, retail stores and dine-in restaurants to resume operations, with COVID-compliant safety practices in place (face covering, social distancing and sanitation).

“We know our businesses are hurting, and we know business owners are doing everything they can to prepare to open safely,” said Curt Hagman, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “We are with you on wanting to reopen as fast as possible, and we’re going to work around the clock until you can.”